Time-keeping devices including indications by magnetic particles in suspension in liquid filled chambers

ABSTRACT

A time-keeping device having a watch mechanism and method for use, the device having a watch dial that has at least one sealed chamber and/or capillary in a transparent substrate disposed on the side facing a user, and another side coupled to a micro-magnet drive system. The sealed chamber has at least a liquid with magnetic particles suspended therein. The micro-magnet driven system is driven, for example, by a clockwork mechanism under the watch dial.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application no.62/033,686, of the same title and filed Aug. 06, 2014, the content ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference thereto and relied upon todescribe the invention claimed.

COPYRIGHT & LEGAL NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialwhich is subject to copyright protection. The Applicant has no objectionto the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or thepatent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Officepatent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rightswhatsoever. Further, no references to third party patents or articlesmade herein is to be construed as an admission that the presentinvention is not entitled to antedate such material by virtue of priorinvention.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention generally relates to time-keeping device mechanisms andindications, and methods used therein and thereby, and is used, by wayof example, in fluidic time-keeping wrist watches and methods usedtherewith.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a device having an indication basedon the use of ferrofluids. In one aspect, the invention provides awearable device and/or portion thereof having a mechanical or electricalmechanism and method for use that includes and utilizes a variety ofnovel features.

In a variant, a watch dial includes one or more chambers, such as flatand expansive chambers, elongated, tubular chambers or channels, in atransparent substrate disposed on the viewing side of a user. Disposedon one (or more) sides of the chamber is a micro-magnet drive system.The driving side (typically distal to the viewing position of the user,is permeable to a magnetic field. The chamber includes liquids havingmagnetic particles—so called ferrofluids. The micro-magnet drive systemmay be driven by a clockwork mechanism under the watch dial.

In one aspect, the at least one sealed chamber includes a channel havingat least one access node to enable filling thereof with at least theliquid and the magnetic particles.

In one variant, the chamber is a transparent capillary. In anothervariant, the chamber is a channel. The channel can be formed between twolayers of the first and the second transparent substrate wherein thefirst and the second transparent substrate are assembled by, forexample, gluing and/or fusion bonding. The channels, capillaries orchambers themselves can be themselves water and/or oil-repellingmaterials, or coated with materials with such properties. Moreover, thechannels, capillaries and/ or substrates can be partially or completelyopaque, luminescent—by means of i.e. paints or impregnation, tinting orcoloring, or simply coated to different colors as for aesthetic purposesand/or readability.

In another variant, the chamber is a flat, expansive chamber.

In yet another aspect, the surface of the chamber is treated withparticles responsive to the irradiation of tritium, and the particlesemit radiation in the visible light spectrum.

The at least one sealed chamber, channel or capillary includes at leastone liquid including magnetic particles.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides a watch dial in which theat least one liquid comprises a bubble of radioactive tritium, which mayor may not be used to indicate time or other quantities over an index.

In further variants, the invention provides a watch dial in which theliquid includes at least two immiscible liquids.

The magnetic particles used in the invention include metal oxides, puremetals or alloys; the metal oxide is selected from the group consistingof an oxide of iron, nickel, cobalt or other material with similarmagnetic properties.

In yet another aspect, the watch dial further includes a micro-magnet.The watch dial is constructed in a manner so as to indicate and/ordispose a concentration of magnetic particles in a suspension in theliquid at a specific location of a capillary, channel and/or a chamberabove the micro-magnet.

The time piece and/or portion of a time piece is constructed such thatan index is engraved and/or disposed adjacent or above the watch dial,optionally on a side facing a user's viewpoint and includes at least onewatch indication.

In another embodiment, a chamber is closed, and includes a sufficientthickness and a width such that a concentration/conglomeration ofmagnetic particles and the chamber form a piston assembly system.

In another variant, the magnetic particles are arranged so that theycreate a micro-induced magnet and are in a channel, in a concentrationsufficient to form a piston which moves an entire column of the liquidin a channel.

In other variants, an indication for a watch or portion thereof isprovided by the invention. The indication is produced by a coloredliquid segment pushed by the piston assembly, and the colored liquidsegment moves adjacent the watch indication.

The watch dial also includes an additional watch mechanism, the watchdial includes indicators coupled to an indication of time or otherinformation. The indication is selected from the group consisting ofhours, minutes, seconds and other useful information presented in awatch.

In yet a further embodiment, the watch dial includes an additionalmechanism, and the additional mechanism is selected from the groupconsisting of a mechanical mechanism driven by an escapement or anyother regulation source, such as, for example, a quartz mechanism. In aparticular embodiment, the regulation may be provided by connection to anetwork such as the Internet, or the Cloud™.

In yet another variant, the watch dial further includes a shieldingassembly providing shielding from a magnetic field or isolation of themagnetic field generated by the mechanism of the invention.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description of the invention madewith reference to the accompanying drawings. These and other aspects ofthe invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to theembodiments and drawings described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter of the invention will be explained in more detail inthe following text with reference to exemplary embodiments which areillustrated in the attached drawings.

FIG. 1A is a top schematic view of a mechanism, assembly, and method(s)of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a side cross-sectional cut away view along line A-A of FIG.1A.

FIG. 1C is a side view of the gas-liquid interface in the interior ofthe mechanism of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of a sub-assembly of onevariant of the system of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a variant of an indication of the invention.

FIG. 4 is yet a further variant of an indication of the invention.

FIG. 5 is another variant of an indication according to an embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 6 is a variant of an indication of the invention.

FIGS. 7A to 7E show yet another embodiment of the invention.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figuresare illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily beendrawn to scale. For example, dimensions may be exaggerated relative toother elements to help improve understanding of the invention and itsembodiments. Furthermore, when the terms “first”, “second”, and the likeare used herein, their use is intended for distinguishing betweensimilar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential orchronological order. Moreover, relative terms like “front”, “back”,“top” and “bottom”, and the like in the Description and/or in the claimsare not necessarily used for describing exclusive relative position.Those skilled in the art will therefore understand that such terms maybe interchangeable with other terms, and that the embodiments describedherein are capable of operating in other orientations than thoseexplicitly illustrated or otherwise described.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT(S)

The following description is not intended to limit the scope of theinvention in any way as they are exemplary in nature, serving todescribe the best mode of the invention known the inventors as of thefiling date hereof. Consequently, changes may be made in the arrangementand/or function of asiny of the elements described in the exemplaryembodiments disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 1A-1C, an overall view of a system 100 of thepresent invention is shown via an overall top view and variouscross-sections of the system 100. The system 100 functions to, forexample, indicate hours, minutes or seconds on a circular fashionbracelet watch in a closed circuit. Other indications, such as bloodpressure or body temperature may be provided.

In one embodiment, the system 100 includes a circular capillary 15′formed of borosilicate glass, from one or more segments 5, 6. In theembodiment of FIG. 1A-1C, the capillary is formed from at least twosegments 5, 6; two T-fittings, 4; (optionally and alternatively), andtwo other transparent segments 15 are also provided, of stainless steelor borosilicate glass. One or more micro-magnets 9 are provided, forexample, made of neodymium. A drive disk 8 on which is mounted one ormore magnets 8, disposed a circumferential distance from one another,all adjacent the capillary, for movement below and along the capillary.For example, a disk drive 7 engages a rack in the disk 8 to effectmovement of the micromagnets below the capillary. One or more segmentsof particles with a magnetic behavior, such as magnetic particles(either ferro-, ferri-, or para-magnetic, particularly magnetite,ferrites, nickel oxide or cobalt oxide ; iron, nickel or cobalt inmetallic form, or rare earth components such as Gadolinium, compositesthereof, and alloys thereof, of each metal or combination thereof). Themagnetic particles are preferably of a dark color 1 and are capable ofbeing treated superficially in different manners according to a desiredpurpose.

An increase in concentration of particles in a desired area (e.g. toform the image of a number or a logo or other image) is achieved by oneor more of the magnet(s), and it is such that the segment compriseseither a visible area such as an indicator, which moves in a liquidenvironment, or as a piston (see various embodiments described herein.)A liquid 2 in which the segment 1 moves or which is driven by the latteris also provided.

Expansion of gas 3 to liquid 2 form is indicated in the chamber at FIG.1D. Two menisci between the gas 3 and the liquid 2 are formed asindicated in FIG. 1C.

Glues or other elements for the connection between the fittings and Tsegments of capillaries are also indicated as element 11. Plugs 10including glues or other plugging members are provided at the ends ofthe capillary 15 (or, optionally connectors, if the latter are notprovided with capillaries) are also included in system 100. Surfacetreatment A 13 may be applied inside the capillary segments andT-connections. It may be of various types, depending on the embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1B, a surface treatment 13 can be applied within thesegments of the interior of capillaries and fittings T. It may be ofvarious types, according to the respective figure. Both circularcapillary access (for example) nodes are included which allow thefilling of the capillary by ensuring that the segments are sufficientlyaccessible to prevent liquid that reaches the gas bubble remains in themain channel before access closure. The purpose of this embodiment is to(1) have a bubble of gas in the zone 3, to compensate for variations involume of the system due to thermal expansion or retraction and (2)insure that the bubble stays in the zone 3, no matter what operationalmode the system is in. The bubble must be prevented from migrating intothe channel.

Segments remain operational and provide for intentionally trapping gasby the plugs 10, the allow for thermal expansion and contraction of thelatter within the limits corresponding to the requirements of a luxurywatch (0 to 50° C., see −20 to +70° C.). Materials and adhesives orsealing methods using plugs 10 and capillaries 15, 15′ are chosenaccording to their resistance to stress and temperature of thesubstrates they are sealing and/or connecting (e.g. borosilicate, metal,ceramics, liquid).

One specific surface treatment 13 may be applied inside the capillarysegments and within T-connections, depending on the desired embodiment.Fittings permit the transmission of the magnetic field generated by themagnet 9, so as not to disturb the driving segment.

In this embodiment, the magnet 9 is driven by the disk 8, which isitself driven by the drive wheel system 7. It is advantageously locatedunder the capillary so as to be hidden from the sight of the observer.Dial lettering and the magnetic field interaction with elements of thesystem can also be used between the magnet and the capillary, so as tocompletely hide the drive system from the user side of the back channel.In any case, it is useful to create a contrast. As illustrated by wheelsub-system 7, a complete rotation of the magnet may be invoked within 12hours, 1 hour or 1 minute, and/or any other desired time scale. Thecooperating sub-system with system 100 can be a mechanical sub-system,an electrical type (quartz) subsystem, or via network connection, to theCloud™ for example. The system 100 is optionally provided with an index12 for reading the specified value.

In its most basic form, the invention is a device for moving magneticparticulate. In this embodiment, the device includes either an expansivechamber with a low ceiling, a tube or a channel, a magnetic particulate,and a driving means. The chamber, if a narrow tube or channel, may havecapillary characteristics, and is filled at least in part with a liquid.The magnetic particulate is suspended in the liquid. The particulate maybe, for example, a ferro-magnetic, ferri-magnetic, para-magnetic,magnetite, ferrites, nickel oxide, cobalt oxide, iron, nickel, metalliccobalt, rare earth magnets components, Gadolinium, or Neodymium, toprovide an exemplary listing. Other materials may also be suitable. Thedriving means is adapted to form and drive the magnetic particulate intoat least one visible clump of a desired form, and optionally, to drivethe clump of magnetic particles.

The clump may serve as an indicator along an index. Optionally, theclump is of sufficient density to act as a piston which drives theliquid in the channel or tube. Alternatively, a meniscus of the drivenliquid serves as an indicator along an index.

As already described above in relation to the drawings figures, theinvention can be applied to a timekeeping device which has a timeindication. The time indication further has a sealed, transparent tubeor channel positioned adjacent an index and visible to a user of thetimekeeping device. The user can then see within the channels or tube.The formed magnetic clump is visible to the user as well so that whenjuxtaposed to an index, a time can be read. The timekeeping device has aregulation device and a micro-magnet drive system having magnets coupledthereto generating a magnetic field. The micro-magnets drive system isarranged such that the clump of magnetic particulate interacts with themagnetic field so as to be driven by the drive means according to inputsfrom the regulation device.

The regulation device may be selected from a number of regulationdevices such as a clockwork mechanism, particularly a mechanicalclockwork mechanism, a quartz clockwork mechanism, or a nuclearclockwork mechanism, and a processor in a network to which the deviceconnects and communicates, such as a connection to the Cloud™.

Example 1

The segment 1 is driven by the magnetic field of the magnet 9. The drivemoves the suspended magnetic particles segment without necessarilymoving the liquid in which the particles are suspended. In any case, anoptional surface treatment may be added to the capillary or channelsurface to attract the liquid and repel the magnetic particles in orderto allow liquid to pass between the magnetic particles and the capillaryor channel. This can reduce resistance as well as reduce any movement inthe liquid that might be caused by the moving of the clump of magneticparticles. To increase the contrast, one can choose a liquid with thesame refractive index as the substrate.

Example 2

In this embodiment, a segment, preferably a short segment, of coloredliquid may be encapsulated between two dense clumps of magneticparticles and may be driven by these clumps. The clumps are themselvesdriven by, for example, two magnets 9, located below the segments ofmagnetic particulate. The magnetic particulate, when formed in clumps ofsufficient density, may be designed to function as pistons. In thiscase, the surface treatment described herein, and connections will bemade to repel the two kinds of liquids and the ferro-fluid. It will alsoprovide a driver to push any colored liquid.

Example 3

A segment of colored liquid is placed before or after the segment 1 andis driven by this segment, itself being driven by a magnet 9, whichfunctions as a piston. The segment of colored liquid is immiscible witha second liquid segment (whether fully transparent or not). In thiscase, the surface treatment of elements of system 100 and connectionswill be made to repel the two kinds of liquids and the ferromagneticparticles. The colored liquid is separated by a transparent liquidmeniscus.

Example 4

This Example is analogous to Examples 2 and 3 described above. In thisembodiment, a colored liquid segment is bounded by two pistons, thecolored liquid segment and the pistons being integrated into a thirdliquid, which is immiscible with the colored liquid and the pistons. Inthis example, the substrate or a surface treatment inside of thechannel, attracts the third liquid. Referring again to FIG. 2 of USprovisional application U.S. 61/974,448, the content of which isincorporated by reference and relied upon, this embodiment uses achamber of a variable form between two substrates which are fusionbonded and filled with liquid as described in. A filling system with anentry and an exit which is similar to embodiment 1 is used. Forabsorbing or compensating for contractions and expansions of the liquid,one uses either the system shown in embodiment 1, or an embodiment shownin the mentioned FIG. 2. The magnetic particles will move inside of afluid microfilm of the third liquid attracted by the substrate or thesurface treatment. This same principle with a single piston comprisingmagnetic particles is described in Example 3.

Example 5

Referring again to the US provisional application cited above(particularly FIG. 2 thereof), in this example, the capillary isreplaced by a channel between two transparent substrates that are: (1)fusion bonded, (2) glued (e.g. along glue lines), (3) weld bondedsubstrates, and/or (4) press fit together. The thickness of the channelis preferably in the range of a few hundredths to a few tenths of amillimeter and its width is preferably in the range of a few tenths to afew mm to allow for the creation of menisci, particularly as shown inthe referenced figure. The surface of the channel is transparent.T-fittings are incorporated in the design of the channels (drawingsteps). This feature also optionally applies to Examples 1-4.

Example 6

This embodiment is based on Example 5 (channels instead of capillariesare provided) as conduits, and the embodiments 2-5 have a primarypurpose of driving the magnetic particulate. In this embodiment, thesurface of the channel is of a frosted glass type. The colored liquid isreplaced by a liquid having the same refractive index as the substrate.This will make it transparent and the segment enables the reading ofinformation behind the segment in question.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-5, ferromagnetic suspended particles accumulateon the magnetic field lines drawn by the micro-magnet movement locatedbeneath the substrate. These accumulations may form figures that appearand disappear, as shown in FIG. 2 or art forms shown in FIG. 4, orshapes that move or “flow” such as shown in FIG. 3. In this case, if anindex exists on the substrate (not shown), it can indicate a variable,such as time. To conceal the magnets, an opaque layer is between themagnet system and the substrates is provided. The animation of themagnets can be made by mechanical or quartz watch movement, which setsin motion the magnets (see FIG. 5, as an exemplary representation).

Referring now to FIGS. 6A to 6E, an alternate embodiment of anindicating device 200 is provided. In this embodiment, the magneticparticulate 202 is contained in a sealed substantially flat, expansivechamber 204 (between the housing 206, the face 210, and the crystal 212,which is transparent), the crystal 212 providing a low, transparentceiling. The chamber 204 is filed with a liquid 216 having a magneticparticulate 202 suspended in the liquid 216, and has a floor 210 made upof a matrix of magnetic field inducing panels 214. The indicating device200 indicates for example, time, or an image such as the logo of themanufacturer, by forming at least clump 220 of the magnetic particulatein the expansive chamber 204 by inducing, positioning or selectivelyshielding magnetic fields in select panels so as to form a desiredclump. In one variant, the clump is an at least one time-indicatingnumeral 222.

In this chamber 204, an electromagnet 214 or group of electromagnetsassociated with a matrix 224 are controlled to activate and deactivateelectromagnetic panels 214.

When a matrix panel control system 230 creates the appearance of animage 232 (e.g., a number on request, in the case of a watch), it doesso by activating the electromagnet panels 214 in such a way that eachpanel collects the magnetic particles 202 suspended in the liquid 216starting from the end of the image to be created and the center,collecting magnetic particles to create the desired image. When theactivation of the electromagnet panels 214 is deactivated, the particles202 are again dispersed into the liquid 216, and no image is visible.

The controller 230 can also control the appearance of the imagesgenerated, so as to, for example, morph one image to another image,moving or giving an impression of movement in the liquid 216.

It should be noted that all versions of the present invention may beimplemented using a purely mechanical system, in other words, withoutelectromagnets and without requiring a battery. Permanent magnets may besubstituted for electromagnet panels 214 in which the “on” or “off”functionality is achieved using shielding and or mechanical removal orrepositioning (lowering away from the watch face) of the permanentmagnets, for example, by actuators 234, controlled by the control system230. The actuators 234 can be purely mechanical cam mechanisms driven bya purely mechanical movement.

In an advantage, the invention provides a way of creating a piston formoving fluids or indicating a measure.

In another advantage, the invention creates a pleasing even dynamicallyfunctioning watch face without the expense of other systems.

As will be appreciated by skilled artisans, the present invention may beembodied as a system, a device, or a method. Moreover, the systemcontemplates the use, sale and/or distribution of any goods, services orinformation having similar functionality described herein.

The specification and figures should be considered in an illustrativemanner, rather than a restrictive one and all modifications describedherein are intended to be included within the scope of the inventionclaimed. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined bythe appended claims (as they currently exist or as later amended oradded, and their legal equivalents) rather than by merely the examplesdescribed above. Steps recited in any method or process claims, unlessotherwise expressly stated, may be executed in any order and are notlimited to the specific order presented in any claim. Further, theelements and/or components recited in apparatus claims may be assembledor otherwise functionally configured in a variety of permutations toproduce substantially the same result as the present invention.Consequently, the invention should not be interpreted as being limitedto the specific configuration recited in the claims.

Benefits, other advantages and solutions mentioned herein are not to beconstrued as critical, required or essential features or components ofany or all the claims.

As used herein, the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or variationsthereof, are intended to refer to a non-exclusive listing of elements,such that any apparatus, process, method, article, or composition of theinvention that comprises a list of elements, that does not include onlythose elements recited, but may also include other elements described inthe instant specification. Unless otherwise explicitly stated, the useof the term “consisting” or “consisting of or “consisting essentially ofis not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the enumeratedelements named thereafter, unless otherwise indicated. Othercombinations and/or modifications of the above-described elements,materials or structures used in the practice of the present inventionmay be varied or adapted by the skilled artisan to other designs withoutdeparting from the general principles of the invention. The patents andarticles mentioned above are hereby incorporated by reference herein,unless otherwise noted, to the extent that the same are not inconsistentwith this disclosure.

Other characteristics and modes of execution of the invention aredescribed in the appended claims. Further, the invention should beconsidered as comprising all possible combinations of every featuredescribed in the instant specification, appended claims, and/or drawingfigures which may be considered new, inventive and industriallyapplicable.

Copyright may be owned by the Applicant(s) or their assignee and, withrespect to express Licensees to third parties of the rights defined inone or more claims herein, no implied license is granted herein to usethe invention as defined in the remaining claims. Further, vis-a-vis thepublic or third parties, no express or implied license is granted toprepare derivative works based on this patent specification.

Multiple variations and modifications are possible in the embodiments ofthe invention described here. Although certain illustrative embodimentsof the invention have been shown and described here, a wide range ofchanges, modifications, and substitutions is contemplated in theforegoing disclosure. While the above description contains many specificdetails, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope ofthe invention, but rather exemplify one or another preferred embodimentthereof. In some instances, some features of the present invention maybe employed without a corresponding use of the other features.Accordingly, it is appropriate that the foregoing description beconstrued broadly and understood as being illustrative only, the spiritand scope of the invention being limited only by the claims whichultimately issue in this application.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for moving magnetic particulate, the device including: a. at least one chamber filled at least in part with a liquid; b. a magnetic particulate suspended in the liquid, the particulate selected from the group of magnetic particulate consisting of ferro-magnetic, ferri-magnetic, para-magnetic, magnetite, ferrites, nickel oxide, cobalt oxide, iron, nickel, metallic cobalt, rare earth magnets components, Gadolinium, and Neodymium ; and c. driving means adapted to form the magnetic particulate into at least one clump of a desired form and, optionally, drive the clump of magnetic particulate, wherein the chamber is a narrow, closed channel or capillary and the clump of magnetic particles moves along the channel or capillary.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the clump serves as an indicator along an index.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the clump moves along the capillary without substantially moving the liquid.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the clump is of sufficient density to act as a piston which drives the liquid in the channel or tube.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the clump drives a bubble, such as a tritium bubble.
 6. The device of claim 4, wherein a meniscus of the driven liquid serves as an indicator along an index.
 7. The device of claim 1, being a timekeeping device, the timekeeping device having a time indication, the time indication further comprising: a. the at least one channel or tube being a sealed tube or channel formed of a transparent substrate, the transparent substrate being positioned adjacent an index and visible to a user of the timekeeping device such that a user of the timekeeping device can see within the channels or tube such that the formed magnetic clump is visible to the user; b. a regulation device; c. a micro-magnet drive system having magnets coupled thereto generating a magnetic field, arranged such that the clump of magnetic particulate interacts with the magnetic field so as to be driven by the drive means according to inputs from the regulation device.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein the regulation device is selected from the group of regulation device consisting of a clockwork mechanism, a mechanical clockwork mechanism, a quartz clockwork mechanism, a nuclear clockwork mechanism, and a processor in a network to which the device connects and communicates.
 9. An indicating device having a magnetic particulate contained in a sealed substantially flat, expansive chamber with a low, transparent ceiling, the chamber having a floor made up of a matrix of magnetic field inducing panels, the indicating device indicating a quantity by forming at least one indication clump of the magnetic particulate in the expansive chamber by controlled induction of magnetic fields in select panels so as to form the indication clump.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein the controlled induction is performed by a processor running an application specific algorithm.
 11. The device of claim 9, wherein the at least one indication clump is an at least one time-indicating numeral.
 12. The device of claim 9, wherein the indication clump indicates an image such as a logo.
 13. A device for moving magnetic particulate, the device including: a. at least one chamber filled at least in part with a liquid; b. a magnetic particulate suspended in the liquid, the particulate selected from the group of magnetic particulate consisting of ferro-magnetic, ferri-magnetic, para-magnetic, magnetite, ferrites, nickel oxide, cobalt oxide, iron, nickel, metallic cobalt, rare earth magnets components, Gadolinium, and Neodymium; and c. driving means adapted to form the magnetic particulate into at least one clump of a desired form and, optionally, drive the clump of magnetic particulate. 